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Jorge de Morais, General Manager, KAESO Energy Services, highlighted the urgency of advancing local content development in Africa during a Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB)-sponsored panel at African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025. Emphasizing that Africa’s population is set to grow two-fold by 2050, de Morais urged immediate interventions by regulators and operators to advance capacity building to empower the next generation in Africa.

“We need collaboration, education and international companies to come in and do their part. But we also need to understand that we have different priorities. By 2050, our population will double across the continent. We need to empower these people and create jobs. Local content is an urgent priority,” he said.

While Africa has long-been a major oil and gas producer, the continent has historically relied on foreign personnel to deliver projects. With a growing focus on local content in Africa, this trend is expected to change. The NCDMB facilitates local content compliance across the country. As one of Africa’s biggest producers, the country has established strong local content policies to support capacity building.

Abdulmalik Halilu, Director Corporate Services, NCDMB, shared that when the country initially started energy development, “the focus of the industry was initially about how we can reach first oil. However, it moved to see how projects can benefit the local population.”

For emerging producers, implementing local content at an early stage has become a key priority. Senegal, for example, is integrating local content policies within recently-launched projects under efforts to position local companies and people at the forefront of energy development. Mor Bakhoum, Technical Secretary, ST-CNSL Senegal, explained that “Senegal is a new player in the oil and gas sector, with first production in 2024. The question is: what opportunities can we unlock in terms of local content? There are a number of Senegalese working on these projects.”

Operators and service providers are responding to calls by government to prioritize local content. Petrofac brings global expertise to local markets, delivering engineering, procurement and training programs that enhance workforce participation. The company’s presence in Africa supports local industrialization goals while ensuring best-in-class project delivery.

Sandy Merson, SVP, Asset Operations, Petrofac, stated that, “Our delivery model is about local delivery. We want to employ local people, nurture the supply chains and develop the next generation so they’re ready to take over.”

Similarly, the International Human Resources Development Corporation (IHRDC) has placed knowledge transfer as central to its mission. The company provides world-class training solutions that empower African energy professionals with the technical and managerial skills required to succeed in a competitive industry.

“We are a training provider and have worked in Africa since the 1970s. We have to lay the groundwork so that African people can grow their competencies,” shared Bradford Donohue, CEO, IHRDC.

Meanwhile, operating in West Africa, AGL Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast are expanding local service delivery across the energy value chain. Their investments in logistics, training and supply solutions underscore a commitment to advancing regional capacity and competitiveness.

Asta-Rosa Cisse, Regional Director: Ivory Coast – Burkina Faso, AGL, stated that “AGL has built a strong and credible track record across Africa. We are in Africa to grow with Africa. This commitment is reflected through our strong partnerships with local stakeholders; how we develop talent and transfer skills; and our long-term implementation of local content.”